If Huntington’s disease were present in my family, I would opt for genetic testing for varying reasons. The condition is inherited, and mostly occurs when one gets to the age of 30 or 40. Ideally, the illness results from the breakdown of nerve cells in the brain. An individual from a family with the condition depicts no symptoms during early life, teenage, and young adulthood. Genetic testing is critical in informing a potential individual of the likely indicators of the disease (Essa et al., 2018). It would be logical and objective to consider a genetic test aimed at accurate assessment and diagnosis of the complication.
I would opt for genetic testing to determine potential risk levels of Huntington’s disease. It is stressful and mentally demanding to live with doubts and fear of suffering from the condition later in life. Psychologically, it strains an individual to an extent that affects their personal and professional obligations (Essa et al., 2018). In extreme cases, high levels of doubt can result in confusion and anxiety, leading to cases of suicide. Consequently, a genetic test would help provide an accurate diagnosis that determines the potentiality of suffering from the condition later in life.
Preparing for the condition in advance is essential in the therapeutic and treatment processes of Huntington’s disease. Low potential risks recording a negative result would be good news to an individual seeking the test. A positive result indicating a high risk of suffering the condition would prompt one to set a stable medical foundation for future treatment needs. It would include establishing vital contacts with both psychological and physiological medical practitioners. Additionally, the test would be critical in making life-time personal and professional decisions, such as engaging in relationships and starting a family.
Reference
Essa, M. M., Manivasagam, T., Justin-Thenmozhi, A., & Hamid, Q. A. (2018). Food for Huntington’s disease. Nova Science Publishers, Inc.